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Mercedes-AMG’s New V8-Powered GLC 63 Spied

With crossovers being at the top of consumer shopping lists these days, it made no sense for Mercedes to hold back on their AMG offerings in the compact luxury class, so after the potent GLC 43, Stuttgart is going all out with the GLC 63.
It’s the SUV equivalent of the new C63 AMG sharing the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 pushing out 476PS (470hp) and 650Nm (479lb-ft) in standard and 510PS (503hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft) in ‘S’ trim.

In all likelihood, Mercedes will offer both variants on the GLC 63, paired to an AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sport transmission with paddle shifters supplying power to the 4Matic all-wheel drive system with a rear dive bias.

Similarly to the already available GLC 43 AMG that gets a 362hp (367PS) and 520 Nm (383 lb-ft) 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, the V8 AMG model will come with an upgraded chassis sporting a re-tuned steering system and an Air Body Control air suspension with adaptive damping, along with massive brakes and chunky rubber on all four corners.

Despite the lack of camouflage, as only the front bumper was covered, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 tester we spied in Germany isn’t wearing a production ready body. The final version of the super-SUV will have modified front and rear ends, beefier fenders to fit the wider wheels and an aero package on the outside, while inside, it should look a lot like the GLC 43 with upgraded sport seats, steering wheels and model-specific trims and instrument cluster.

The new GLC 63 that is expected to be introduced either towards the end of the year or in early 2017 will have a direct competitor from BMW that is working on an X3 M with the M3 / M4’s turbocharged straight-six.